The Iran War’s Climate, Environmental, and Human Security Fallout

Sep 14, 2026 | Alejandro Martin Rodriguez, Joy Arkeh, and Sarah Yerkes
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In a region already much affected by climate impacts and conflict dynamics, the continuation of the Iran war will reinforce their relationship and, in turn, result in serious humanitarian consequences. Since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, analysts and policymakers have focused their attention on the geopolitical, economic, and energy-related fallout that a prolonged conflict brings to the world. So far, the war in Iran has claimed the lives of soldiers and civilians, including more than 100 children killed in a U.S. strike on an Iranian elementary school; disrupted economic systems, costing the United States 2 billion dollars each day; and shocked energy markets.